Joe Benz

Joseph Louis Benz
(Blitzen or Butcher Boy)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height' 6' 1½", Weight 196 lb.

• Debut August 16, 1911
• Final Game May 2, 1919
• Born January 21, 1886 in New Alsace, IN USA
• Died April 22, 1957 in Chicago, IL USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Pitcher Joe Benz played nine seasons in the majors with the Chicago White Sox and never once posted an ERA of over 3.00.

After playing minor league ball in Iowa for parts of three years, Benz made his big league debut in 1911 and, by the next season, secured a spot in the team's starting rotation. He went 15-19 in 1914 but had several outstanding outings in May and June. On May 31st, he hurled a no-hitter against the Cleveland Naps, and he held the New York Highlanders to just two hits in a June 6th game. Against Walter Johnson and the Washington Senators on June 12th, he threw eight innings without allowing a hit before finally giving one up in the ninth en route to a win. Benz had his best year in 1915, going 15-11 with a 2.11 ERA and 17 complete games, but soon began to be plagued by arm troubles. He pitched in just 19 games as the White Sox won the 1917 American League pennant and did not appear in the World Series. After one game with the 1919 White Sox, he was released.

After baseball, Benz worked as an engineer in Chicago. In later years, he was a cemetery caretaker, also in Chicago. He died of a heart-related illness in 1957.

Notable Achievements

• 15 Wins Seasons: 1 (1915)
• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 3 (1912, 1914 & 1915)
• Won a World Series with the Chicago White Sox in 1917 (he did not play in the World Series)

Further Reading

• William F. Lamb: "Joe Benz", in Jacob Pomrenke, ed.: Scandal on the South Side: The 1919 Chicago White Sox, SABR, Phoenix, AZ, 2015, pp. 10-15. ISBN 978-1-933599-95-3

Related Sites

• Joe Benz at the SABR Bio Project